The East Bay city of Pittsburg unveiled a new statue Sunday honoring a famed youth football coach.
Jim "Smiley" Camitz, famous for coaching an undefeated 1963 Pittsburg Mallards football team to a national championship, was honored for his prowess on sidelines.
During that famous season decades ago, the Mallards rolled to a 9-0 record and didn't allow a single point all year, outscoring opponents 364 to 0, according to the Mercury News.
Before capping off the dream season, the youngsters had to battle one final bout of adversity. The Mallards were scheduled to dine with President John Kennedy for a breakfast date, but the nation's leader was assassinated four days before the players could cash in on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Camitz united his stunned squad and led them to a 33-0 victory over Mayfair Athletic Club to capture the national crown, the Mercury News reported.
The youth football team's success was documented in the 2013 film "Thrown For A Loss."
